Brake.



P. BROWN.

BRAKE. APPLICATION FILED kFEB. 26, l9l5.

1 185,975 l Patented June 6, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET PERRY BROWN. OF CORAOPOLIS. PENNSYLVANIA.

BRAKE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

latentedJune, 6, 1916.

Application filed February 26, 1915. Serial No. 10,784.

T 0 all ywhom t may concern Be it known thatI, PERRY Bnowiv, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Coraopolis, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Brakes, of which the followingl i: a specification. I v

This invention relates to improvements in ratchet brakes particularly of that type in whichthe operating handle is arranged to drop by gravity to an inactive. position. 1n the preferred embodiment of my present invention, when the operating handle is lifted from the. vertical tothe horizontal position, a ratchet wheel is rotated so as to simultaneously move a gear wheel` the gear wheel meshing with a vertically moving rack bar to which the brake chain is connected.

The invention therefore consists in a brake of this general construct-ion and as hereinafter described and then deinitely claimed.

In the drawings accompanyingand forming part hereof and which`v it will be understood. represent the preferably embodiment of my invention, Figure 1 is an elevation ot in v brake, with parts shown in section line of section being 'taken through dotted line 1-,1 of Fig. '2. Fig. 2 is a vertical Section through the lineQ--Q of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section through the line 3-3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is perspective view of two of the parts detached. Fig. 5 is a sectional detail of the ratchet, the gear and the upper part of the rack.

Referring now to the details of the drawings by numerals: 7 designates-a casing having a, bracket 8 projecting from its upper end as shown in Fig. 2, this bracket having two-ribs 9 and 10 forming `a channel between them. lithin this channel is designed to fit the upper rail 11 ot an open ended car. Rivets 1'?. and 13 are employed to secure the bracket S to the-rail 11 as indi cated in Figs. 1 and-2. This forms .a substantialway ot' connectingr the Jframework ot the brake in position. y

The casing 7 is providedwith'a horizontal cylindrical member 14C which forms a housing for the operative parts of the brake. The rear end of this housing is closed by aA plate 15, a bolt 1t lieing employed which passes through Ithe vertical part of the casing 7 ard through the plate 15 as clearly seen in l*` ig. It will be evident that instead of securing-'the casing 7 to a rail as 11, the plate 15 may be backed up against the end wall of a car and the bolt 1G made long enough to pass through the wall of the car Vand thereby secure the plate 15 and the casing 7 to the end of the car.

Within the casing 7 and'inclosed by "ie cylindrical wall 11 I support on the loc1 16 a ratchet. wheel 18 and a gear wheel 19 which, in thei preferred embodiment, an` cast integrally as illustrated in Fig. 2. The ratchet wl.. el 1S is formed with a hub 20 cast integrally with the end thereof (see Fig. 2) and upon this hub is supported .a

link Q2. This link 22 is provided with i pin or journal Q3 which passes into an opening E24 in the upper end of an .operating point of di'liereuce is that the link Z2 is proyided with a lateral lug 3() which projects into the path of a lug 31 formed on 'the upper end of the operating handle or level- 25 sothat when the operating handle or lever is allowed to drop from the horizontal to the vertical position, the lug 30 will contactwith the lug 31 as seen in Fig. 1 and thus prevent the pawl 9.9 from moving too far away from the teeth of the ratchet wheel. The long extended member 33 is designed to close the opening 28 in the periphery of the member 14 and thus prevent snow, ice or water from entering the casing.

The opposite side ot' the casing is provided with another peripheral opening (see Fig. 1) through which projects a gravity operating dog 3G pivotedupon a pin 37. From an inspection of Fig. 1 it will be seen whenever the operating handle or lever 2.5 is elevated, the initial movement thereof(` causes the pawl Q9 to engage the ratchet wheel 1S and `the continued upward movement of 'the operating handle or lever will thus cause the ratchet wheel to rotate. During this rotation the gravity operating dog 36 moves on its pivot 3T to permit the ratchet wheel to turn. but the dogengages each tooth and holds the same when the ope ating handle or lever is allowed to drop.

One side of the easing T is lprovided with a housing 40 adapted to contain avertically operating rack bar l1. This casingr may be short as indicated in Fig. 1 and have a pipe 42 screwed on its lower end, as illustrated, to form a long extended housing for the rack bar and brake chain. This rack bar is formed with rack teeth 43 on its inner side and these rack teeth are constructed and arranged to engage with the teeth of the gear 19 so that as said gear is rotated in one direction the rack bar i1 will be forced to move upwardly drawing upon the brake chain ist securedto thelower end of the rack bar 41. The upperend of the rack bar may be held against the gear wheel 19 by means ot an anti-friction roller. In Fig. 1 I have illustrated two of these anti-friction rollers i6 and 4T which are located within the side of the housing 40 and bear against the outer side of the rack bar -11 and thus hold the teeth 48 in proper mesh with the teeth of the gear wheel 19 as above stated.

in order to more firmly secure the brake in position. the plate 15 of the c vlindrical member 14 ot the casing 7 is provided with an extension 50 (see Figs. 1 and l) having a clamping member 5i formed at right angies to the extension 5() and arranged to be clamped around the usual upright standard this standard being connected by a guard chain 5l with a similar standard (not shown). From this construction it will be seen that l not only have a casing which is provided with a bracket, as 8. to receive the horizontal rail on the end of a car, but l also employ the extension 50 and its clamp 51 so that the brake casing is etfectually secured in position and cannot be twisted out ot place by the operation of the brake handle.

YVhile the operation of my device will be obvious to those familiar with this class of brakes, it may not be amiss testate that when the brakeman desires to applyy the brakes. he grasps the handle or lever 25 and moves it up and down very much in the way that an old fashioned pump would he operated. 0n the upward movement of the handle the pawl 29 immediately engages one ot the ratchet teeth on the wheel 18 and the handle thus swinging upon the link 22 which is journaled upon the bolt ltl causes the ratchet wheel to rotate. inasmuch as the ratchet wheel and the gear wheel 19 are Vtoruaal integrally, the gear Wheel is caused i, 'lasers to rotate simultaneously with the ratchet wheel and the rotation of the gear wheel causes the rack bar Li1 to be elevatedf1 thus drawing upon the brake chain ddr. and applying the brake. It one upward movement of the handle or lever 25 is insufficient to apply the brake, the handle or lever is allowed to drop b gravity to the position shown in Fig. 1 when the operation may be repeated until the brake is sufficiently applied. During the rotation of the ratchet wheehthe dog 36 slips back as each tooth passes by it, and the ratchet wheel is thereby held against counter-rotation. However, when it is necessary to release the brake-, all that the braleman has to do is to move the dog- 36 to the left, as viewed in Fig. 1, when the ratchet wheel will be released and the racl bar allowed to drop to its normal position, thus releasing the brake.

It is obvious that changes and modifications may be made in the form and construction oli my invention without departing from the spirit thereof, and reference should therefore be made to the appended claims to determine the scope or" the invent-ion.

That claim as my invention is:

1. In a brake, a longitudinally movable rack bar, a brake member operated from said rack bar. and an operating handle or lever arranged to drop by gravity to an inactive position, in combination with mechanism interposed between said handle or lever and said rack bar constructed and arranged to move said rack when said operating handle or lever is moved.

2. ln a brake. a longitudinally movable rack bar, a brake member operated from said rack bar. an operating handle or lever arranged to drop by gravity to an inactive position. mechanism comprising a ratchet wheel between said rack bar and said handle or lever. and a dog co-acting with said ratchet wheel to prevent eounterrotation.

ln a brake, a longitudinally movable rack bar. a brake chain connected therewith, a gear for operating said rack bar. and a handle or lever for operating said gear. said gravity to an inactive position.

4. ln a brake. a longitudinally movable rack bar` a brake chain connected therewith, a gear tor operating said rack bar. a ratchet wheel movable with said gear. and a handle or lever co-acting with said ratchet wheel to rotate the same and said gear, said handle or lever being arranged to drop by gravity to an-inactive position. l

5. In a brake.l a .longitudinally movable raclr bar. a brake chain connected therewith,

handle or lever being arranged to drop hy a gear for operating said rack bar` a ratchet wheel movable with said gear. a handle or lever coeaeting with said ratchet wheel to rotate the same and said gear. said handle or lever being arranged to drop by gravity to rotation.

G. ln a brake, a longitudinally movable rack'I bar, a brake member operated from y said raekbar, a gear for operating said rack bar, a roller cooperating with said rackbar to'hold the same in mesh with said gear, a ratchet wheel movable with said gear, and a handle or lever constructed and arranged to rotate said ratchet wheel and gear to l give longitudinal movement to said rack bar,

said handle or lever being arranged to drop by gravity to an inactive position.

if In a brake, a longitudinally movable rack bar, a brake member operated from said rack bar, a gear for operating said rack bar, a roller cooperating with said rack bar to hold the same inmesh with said gear, a ratchet wheel movable with said gear, a h aifdle or lever constructed and' arranged to rotate said ratchet wheel and gear to give longitudinal movement to said rack bar, and a dog co-acting with said ratchet wheel to prevent counter-rotation, said handle or lever being arranged to drop by gravity to an inactive position.

d. ln a brake, a casing, aA ratchet wheel therein. a housing connected with said casing, a rack bar entering said housing, a brake member operated from said rack bar, a gear in said casing movable with said ratchet Wheel and co-acting lwith said rack bar, and a handle constructed and arranged to drop by gravity to an inactive position and to rotate said ratchet wheel and Ithereby operate the gear to move the rack bar when said handle or lever is elevated.

9. in a brake, a casing, a ratchet wheel therein, a housing connected with said cas ing, a rack bar entering said housing a brake member operated from said rack bar a gear in said easing movable with said ratchet wheel and co-acting with said rack bar, ahandle constructed a'nd arranged to dropby gravity to an inactive position and to rotate said ratchet Wheel and thereby operate the gear to move the rack bar when said handle or lever is elevated, and a dog entering said casing and (zo-acting with said ratchet wheel to prevent counter-rotation.

l0. ln a brake, a casing having a bracket adapted to fit onto a platform rail of a car,

a ratchet wheel supported in said easing, a brake member operated from said ratchet Wheel, and a handle or lever supported by said casing and co-acting with said ratchet wheel to rotate the same when the handle is elevated, said handle or lever being constructed and arranged todrop by gravity to aninactive position.

l1. In a brake, a casing having a bracket provided with ribs forming a channel Ato receive the platform rail of a car, a ratchet Wheel supported in said casing, a `brake ysaid axle pin member operated` from said ratchet wheel, and a handle or lever supported lb v said casing and co-acting with said ratchet wheel to rotate the same when'the handle is clevated, said handle or lever being constructed and arranged to drop by gravity to an inactive. position.

l2. In a brake, a casing having a bracket adapted to t onto the platform rail ot a car, a ratchet wheel and a gear wheel supported in said casing, a brake member operated from said ratchet wheel, a handle or lever co-acting with said ratchet wheel to rotate the same and said glar when -the handle is elevated, a housing projecting from said casing, and a rack bar moving in said housing and having its teeth meshing with said gear wheel.

13. In a brake, a longitudinally movable bar, a ratchet wheel operatively connected with said bar, a brake member operated from said rack bar, and a handle or lever operating said ratchet wheel, constructed and arranged to drop by .gravity to an inactive position.

14. In a brake, a longitudinally movable bar, a ratchet wheel operatively connected with said bar, a brake member operated from said rack bar, a link journaled in proximity to said ratchet wheel, and an operating handle or lever movable with said link and co-acting with said ratchet wheel and constructed and arranged to drop by gravity to an inactive position and to rotate the same as the handle is moved upwardly oii said link.

15. In a brake, a longitudinally movable rack bar, a gear wheel meshing with the teeth of said rack bar, a brake member operated from said, rack bar, a ratchet wheel nn vable with said gear wheel, a link journaled in proximity to said ratchet wheel, and an operating handle or lever movable with said link and cri-actingr with said ratchet wheel and constructed and arranged to drop by gravity to an inactive position and to rotate the same as the` handle is moved upwardly on said link.

1G. In a brake, a casing having a horizontal axle pin therein, a longitudinally movable bar, a brake member operated from said rack bar, a ratchet wheel supported on tively connected with said bar, and ahandle orlever for operating said 'atchet wheel and arranged to drop by gravity to an inactive position.

17. In a brake, a casing having a horizontal axle pin therein, a longitudinally movable bar, a brake member operated from said raclcbar,A a ratchet wheel supported on said axle pin within the casing and operatively connected with said bar, a link journaled in proximity to said ratchet wheel, and an operating handle orlever movable within the casing and operawith said link and lco-acting With said ratchet Wheel and constructed and arranged to drop by vity to an inactive position and to rotate the same as the handle is moved upwardly on said link.

1S. ln a brake, a casing having a horizontal axle pin therein, a longitudinally movable rack bar, a brake member operated from said rack bar, a gear Wheel and ratchet Wheel supported on said axle pin Within the casing, said gear nieshing with the teeth of said rack bar, and a handle or lever for operating .'aid ratchet wheel and arranged to drop by gravity to an inactive position.

l). ln a brake, a casing having a horizontal axle pin therein, a longitudinally movable rack bar. a brake member operated 'from said rack bar, a gear wheel and ratchet wheel supported on said axle pin Within the casing. said gear meshing with the teeth ot said rack bar, a link journaled in proximity to said ratchet Wheel, and an operating handle or lever movable with said link and tro-acting 'with said ratchet Wheel and constructed and arrai'iged to drop by gravity to an inactive position and to rotate the same as the handle is moved upwardly on said link.

20. In a brake, a casing zontal axle pin therein, a Side ot' saidv casing, a longitudinally movable bar in said housing, a brake member operated from said rack bar, a ratchet Wheel supported on said axle pin Within the casing and operatively connected` with said bar, and a handle or lever for operating said ratchet Wheel and arranged to drop by gravity to an inactive position.

23.. In a brake, a easing having a hori- Zontal axle pin therein, a housing at one side otsafid casing, a longitudinally movable rack bar in said housing, a brake member operated from Saidrack bar, a gear Wheel having a horihonsing at one and ratchet wheel supported on said axle pin Within the casing, said gear Wheel meshing vvith the teeth on said rack bar, and a handle or lever for operating said ratchet Wheel and arranged to drop by gravity Ato an inactive position.

22. In a brake7 a casing having a hor- Zontal axle pin. therein, a housing at one side oit said casing, a longitudinally movable rack bar in said housing, a brake member operated from said rack bar, a gear wheel and ratchet ywheel supported on said axle pin Within the casing, said gear wheel meehing with the teeth on said rack bar, a link jonrnaled in proximity to Said ratchet Wheel. and an operating handle or lever movable with said link and co-acting with said ratchet Wheel and constructed. and arranged to drop by gravity to an inactive position and to rotate the same as the handle is moved upwardly on said link.

23. In a brake, a casing having a substantially fiat open back adapted to be secured against an end Wall of a ear, and havu ing a bracket projecting therefrom provided with a channel adapted to receive the end L rail of a car, a plate closing the open back of said casing and having an extension pros vided With a clamp adapted to be Secured to a vertical post of a jecting through said casing, a ratchet Wheel onsaid axle pin Within the casing7 and an operating handle or lever having a pawl projecting within the casing and arranged to drop by gravity to an inactive position to release said ratchet Wheel and to rotate the ratchet Wheel as the handle is moved npwardly.

In testimony whereof l atlix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

PERRY BROWLT. `Witnesses THoMAs E. ROBERTSON, JOHN L. FLETCHER.

ear, an axle pin pro-- 

